Gram Panchayats bring grass-root development in Manipur

Yumnam Khunou village in Imphal East is witnessing a boom with the implementation of various government-gun schemes by the Panchayat. The people are also happy with the change.

"Gram panchayats have done lot of work in the village. They have brought water for irrigation also. Earlier, the pond and water pipeline were in bad condition, but now, they are repaired by the Gram Panchayat," said a villager, Bhavini Devi.

"At present, PHED dept. is supplying water round the clock and we distribute it to the villagers properly. There is a chance to convert the village into a model village by our department. We are repairing water canals and drains so as to bring more development in our village," said Secretary of Village Development Authority, N Phulindro Singh.

Recently, a two-day workshop to strengthen Panchayati Raj system in Manipur was organized by the All Manipur Working Journalist Union with support from the department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Deputy Chief Minister G Gaikhangam stressed on the need for development on the grass root level by the Panchayats.

Pradhans of various gram panchayats from Manipur took part in the event.

"First we have to see the base level where we stand right now. We are trying to understand our base level through academic programme like workshops and seminar. Then we will go ahead. As far as Manipur is concerned the devolution is very poor. One of the poorest states in the whole country in the terms of devolution of power, functioning, finance and some other facility so we require such kind of workshops," said Economics Professor N Mohendro Singh.

In Manipur, there is one Zilla Parishad each in the four valley districts, under which there are 161 Gram Panchayats.

The empowerment of the Panchayat is essential for the development in remote areas of Manipur and other states of the Northeast.